Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-03-26

conscious, from the shuffiing feet, that
he had posted all the clerks against the
communicating door so that they would
oycrhear my speech.
There were not chairs enough for the par
ty so took the chair from my desk and
placed it for Miss Mulwine. remained
standing before them.
Mr.. Governor, we have come to ask
your cooperation in ameliorating the
condition of our convicts."
Here was another great opportunity. If
/ had kept my head; if that paralyzing
brunette had not eyed me so steadily, l
might have said:
"Ladies, the condition of our convicts
has long enlisted my anxious study.
Nothing stirs my sympathy; nothing
seems to me of greater importance than
improvement in facilities for their com
fort and moral welfare. Any practical
measure which you have matured will
command my cordial support"
But didn't say that. Instead, l re-
piled:
eyes, there is too much laxity. Those
frequent escapes remind me of our cxpe-
ricncc in Colorado. A drunken miner
shot fellow one night, and the sheriff
took him to the Town jug and locked
him up. The jug was only log build
ing set in the hillside. He got out SO
quick that he met the sheriff on his re-
turn in front of the Welcome Bar, and
asked him to stop in and take drink.
Then the crowd carried him off to the
nearest tree. He didn't get away that
time"
'Perhaps you do not quite understand
u.s." said Mrs. Miner, gravely. She un-
folded large package and disclosed a
mass of papers, "Herc arc the petitions,
circulated in every church in our county
and signed by all the best people, asking
that greater social and religious rrivi-
leges be extended to our criminals. "
"You don't get them up as handy as
we did in Colorado" l rejoined. "When
we had our struggle for the county seat
we strung the petition on an old wringer
frame SO we could roll it up with a
crank"
Brooks gave a loud "heml" looked
across. He was glaring at me in warning
wrath, and again recollected that these
Colorado "reminiscences were inopportune.
! started around, caught the unfathom-
able eyes of that marvellous brunette, and
lapscd into hopeless incapacity.
''Pardon me for interrupting you, Gov
ernor," said Brooks, in a cool, earnest
voice, which at once commanded silence
and attention. "But it is fitting these
ladies should know that their petition
ought to be given to their representative,
and he should press for appropriate leg
islation. Until that time this Office is
.powerless to act"
Mrs. Minor replied: ooh, we quite
understand that. We only wished to
show the petitions for moment here as
evidence of their popularity, and ascer-
tain the Governors feelings toward the
movement"
"Entirely favorable, madam, " said 1.
"Then we will bid you good day and
withdraw. know your time is valu-
able. Many thanks for your kindness y
They bowed. The clerks scattered in
the ante-room and the ladies retired
gracefully, while l stood stupid, not yet
recovered from the surprise of their ar
rival. The door closed behind them.
There was silence a moment. Brooks
sat with his back turned. He lifted up
page of manuscript and remarked with
fattering emphasis:
"Chug, you made beautiful speech. y
ooh, shut up! shut upr' l cried wild
j.. throwing myself into chair.
Brooks's fortitude suddenly gave way
He cast himself forward on his desk and
laughed hilariously. He rose and bowed
himself shrieking over a chair. HI
dropped full length upon the sofa, on toI
of the pamphlets, helpless and uproari
Gus. He ha-ha-ed all over the Office anC
crowded me with his outrageous mirth
When at last he was completely exhaust
ed he sat down and faced me, quizzi
cally.
It dawned upon my mind that Brook
and l had changed positions; that tn
superior force of character, perhaps, nov
was his; that the GOODNESS in emergeneie
which is the test of strength, was mos
manifest in him. Inspired in this dis
covery, and by this occasion, l justly re
marked:
81 believe am the biggest fool of al
our state officers"
Ere l had concluded l became awar
that the door was open. A perfume o
jockey-club floated to my senses. Harold
grinning, had shown in the beautifu
brunette, and she was upon the threshold
looking and listening.
'Did leave my parasol" she aske
sweetly.
Harold picked: = from the floor for her
She bowed and went away.
Once more Brooks hung himself j
festoons over all the furniture, entirel
careless of his own reputation in tn
matter. When this unseemly mirth sub
sided he came to me where sat wit
moist brow, clasped in both hands up
right before my desk, anil said sooth
ingly:
"Never mind, Chug. Life is but
succession of mistakes, with the best G
u.s."
eyes" replied. $50 far as am cor
cerned. I begin to observe that"
Vigilance Rewarded.